JP2023048244A - Inspection system, image formation apparatus, control method of inspection system, control method of image formation apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: inspection processing cannot be correctly performed since there is a difference between a printed material and a correct answer image when an image after RIP processing and an application image are printed in a case where a RIP image is registered as the correct answer image.SOLUTION: An inspection system according to the present invention receives a printing job constituted by an image and printing settings including information about at least an application image, sets an image generated from the printing job as a correct answer image, sets one or a plurality of inspection object regions and a region other than the inspection object from the registered correct answer image, and inspects the inspection object regions set by setting means to a printed material in which the image generated from the printing job and the application image are printed on the same recording sheet on the basis of the printing settings. The setting means sets position information on the printed material on the application image in the region other than the inspection object on the basis of the previously stored association between the information about the application image and the position information on the printed matter on the application image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection system, an image forming apparatus, an inspection system control method, an image forming apparatus control method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art An inspection function is known that enables an inspection device to inspect (inspect) a printed sheet (printed sheet, printed matter) printed by a printing device while the sheet is being conveyed. In the inspection of the printed sheet, the inspection device reads the image of the conveyed printed sheet and compares the read image with a pre-registered correct image to determine whether the printed sheet is normal. The inspection function can detect printing defects, for example. Further, the correct image to be registered in advance may be a scanned image obtained by scanning a print sheet or an image created by RIP processing.

Also known is an adjustment function that automatically adjusts image positions and colors on the front and back of a printed material. In this method, additional images such as patch data for color image adjustment and front and back image position adjustment patches are printed on the margins of sheets that are not a product when printing is first performed. Note that the attached image is printed at intervals set by the user, such as every 100 sheets. Subsequently, by reading out the added image on the print sheet, it is possible to automatically perform the work of adjusting the image position and color on the front and back of the printed material.

In recent years, there has been a demand to use both the inspection function and the adjustment function as a series of printing systems. However, when the print sheet on which the added image is printed is inspected, it is detected as a printing defect in the inspection, and the inspection result cannot be obtained correctly. This is because the print sheet to be inspected has an added image, but the pre-registered correct image does not have an added image.

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a scanned image obtained by scanning a print sheet on which an image and an added image are printed is registered in advance as a correct image. As a result, even if the print sheet on which the added image is printed is inspected, it will not be detected as a print defect.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-133616

However, when registering an image created by RIP processing, an added image cannot be registered as a correct image. This is because the correct image is registered as a multivalued image after RIP, while the added image is added to the binary image that has been binarized after the RIP process. This is because an image with is not a correct image.

The present invention has been made in consideration of at least part of the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to use as a series of printing systems capable of using both the inspection function and the adjustment function. It is to provide a mechanism for the case.

Another object of the present invention is to enable an inspection device to correctly inspect print data printed with an added image for the adjustment function even when an image subjected to RIP processing is registered as a correct image. is to provide

The inspection system of the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives a print job that includes an image and print settings that include at least information about the added image; a registration unit that registers an image generated from the print job as a correct image; setting means for setting one or more inspection target areas and non-inspection target areas from the correct image registered by the registration means; printing means for printing on a recording sheet of; inspection means for inspecting the inspection target area set by the setting means for the printed material printed by the printing means; The printing position of the given image on the printed matter is set to an area not subject to inspection based on the correspondence between the information about the given image and the position information of the given image on the printed matter.

According to one aspect of the present invention, even when an image subjected to RIP processing is registered as a correct image, it is possible for the inspection device to correctly inspect the print data printed with the added image for the adjustment function. can.

1 is an example of a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system; FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram showing internal configurations of an image forming apparatus, an external controller, and a client PC that constitute a printing system; FIG. 1 is an example of a mechanical cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus; FIG. An example of a diagram showing an example of a printed matter to be inspected. An example of a diagram showing an example of a UI screen of an image forming apparatus (inspection module). An example of a diagram showing an example of a UI screen of an image forming apparatus (inspection module). An example of a diagram showing an example of a UI screen of an image forming apparatus (inspection module). An example of a diagram showing an example of a UI screen of an image forming apparatus (inspection module). An example of a diagram showing an example of a UI screen of an image forming apparatus (inspection module). An example of a diagram showing an example of a UI screen of an image forming apparatus (inspection module). An example of a diagram showing an example of a UI screen of an image forming apparatus (inspection module). (A) An example of a flow chart showing the flow of correct image registration processing of the printing module 107 . (B) An example of a flowchart showing a flow of processing for correct image registration of an inspection module. FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart showing a flow of processing for correct image registration of an inspection module according to the second embodiment; FIG. An example of a correspondence table of added image positions. An example of a flowchart from inputting an inspection job to inspection processing.

Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following examples do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in each example are essential for the solution means of the present invention. In this embodiment, an image processing device is used as an example of an information processing device, but the information processing device is not limited to this.

[Embodiment 1]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment. A printing system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 101 and an external controller 102 . The image forming apparatus 101 and the external controller 102 are communicably connected via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106 . Also, the external controller 102 is communicably connected to a client PC 103, which is an information processing device, via an external LAN 104, which is a network.

The client PC 103 is installed with a printer driver having a function of converting image data to be printed into a page description language (PDL) that can be processed by the external controller 102 . A user who wants to print can issue a print instruction from various applications via a printer driver. The printer driver transmits PDL data to the external controller 102 based on a print instruction from the user. Upon receiving PDL data from the PC 103 , the external controller 102 performs PDL analysis and rasterization processing to generate print data (hereinafter referred to as “print job”) that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 101 . put into

Next, the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The image forming apparatus 101 includes a print module 107 , an inserter 108 , an adjustment module 112 , an inspection module 109 , a stacker 110 and a finisher 111 . Each module will be described below.

The print module 107 forms an image using toner as a recording agent on a recording sheet (sheet, paper) as a recording medium conveyed from the paper feeding unit 230 according to the received print job. The configuration and operating principle of this print module 107 are as follows. A laser beam modulated according to an image specified by a print job is reflected by a rotating polygon mirror such as a polygon mirror, and irradiated as scanning light onto a photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by the laser beam is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet of paper attached to the transfer drum. A full-color image is formed on the recording sheet by sequentially executing this series of image forming processes for each of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. The recording sheet on the transfer drum on which the full-color image is formed is conveyed to the fixing device. The fixing device includes rollers, belts, etc., and heat sources such as halogen heaters are built in the rollers, and the toner on the recording sheet forming the full-color image is melted by heat and pressure and fixed to the recording sheet. Note that, in this embodiment, a recording sheet on which printing is performed is referred to as a printed matter.

The inserter 108 is a device that inserts, for example, a partition sheet or the like for separating at an arbitrary position a group of sheets that have been printed and conveyed by the printing module 107 .

The adjustment module 112 reads the adjustment patch printed by the print module 107 on the conveyed print-processed sheet when setting is made to apply an adjustment patch according to an instruction from the external controller 102 or the client PC 103 . . Based on the results of scanning, color and front/back print misalignment (also called "front/back registration misalignment") is adjusted.

The inspection module 109 reads the image of the conveyed print-processed sheet and compares it with a pre-registered correct image (also called a “reference image”) to determine whether the image formed on the sheet is normal. Whether or not there is a print defect is determined.

A stacker 110 is a large-capacity stacking device capable of stacking printed sheets. A finisher 111 is a post-processing device having various finishing processing functions such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching. A finishing process selected and set in advance is applied to the conveyed print-processed sheet. After the finishing process, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray.

In the printing system described with reference to FIG. 1, a print job is input via the external controller 102. However, it is possible to omit the external controller 102, for example. That is, the image forming apparatus 101 may be connected to the external LAN 104 and PDL data may be transmitted from the client PC 103 to the image forming apparatus 101 . In this case, the image forming apparatus 101 performs PDL analysis and rasterization processing to generate a print job, and then executes print processing. In the example of FIG. 1, the external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 are connected to the internal LAN 105, which is a network, and the video cable 106, but any configuration may be used as long as the data necessary for printing can be transmitted and received. For example, either one of the internal LAN 105 and the video cable 106 may be connected.

<Internal configuration of printing system>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing internal configurations of the image forming apparatus 101, the external controller 102, and the client PC 103 that configure the printing system 100. As shown in FIG. They will be described in order below.

<<Internal Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>>
First, the internal configuration of the print module 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The print module 107 has a communication I/F 217, a LAN I/F 218, a video I/F 220, an HDD 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation unit 224, and a display 225 as components mainly related to control. Further, the print module 107 has a document reading unit 226, a laser exposure unit 227, an image forming unit 228, a fixing unit 229, and a paper feeding unit 230 as components mainly related to image formation. Each component is connected via a system bus 231 .

The communication I/F 217 is connected to the inserter 108, the adjustment module 112, the inspection module 109, the stacker 110, and the finisher 111 via the communication cable 254, and performs communication for controlling each device. A LAN I/F 218 is connected to the external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105 and performs communication such as print data. The video I/F 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via the video cable 106, and communicates image data and the like.

The HDD 221 is a storage device that stores programs and data. The CPU 222 comprehensively controls the print module 107 based on programs and the like stored in the HDD 221 . The memory 223 stores programs and image data necessary for the CPU 222 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area. The operation unit 224 receives input of various settings and operation instructions from the user. The display 225 displays various setting information related to print processing, print job processing status, and the like. A document reading unit 226 is a scanner device that optically reads a document when using a copy function or a scanning function. A CCD camera captures an image while illuminating the sheet placed by the user with an exposure lamp, thereby optically reading the image on the document and generating image data.

The laser exposure unit 227 is a device that performs primary charging and laser exposure for irradiating laser light. The laser exposure unit 227 performs primary charging to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum to a negative potential. Next, a laser driver irradiates a laser beam onto the photosensitive drum while adjusting the angle of reflection with a polygon mirror. As a result, the negative charge in the irradiated portion is neutralized, forming an electrostatic latent image. An image forming unit 228 is a device for transferring toner onto a sheet. The image forming unit 228 includes a developing unit, a transfer unit, a toner supply unit, and the like (not shown), and transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum onto a sheet. The developing unit attaches negatively charged toner from the developing cylinder to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to visualize the image.

The transfer unit applies a positive potential to the primary transfer roller to transfer the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the transfer belt. perform transcription. The fixing unit 229 is a device for melting and fixing the toner on the sheet by heat and pressure, and includes a heating heater, a fixing belt, a pressure belt, and the like (not shown). The paper feed unit 230 is a device for feeding sheets to be used for print processing. The sheet feeding unit 230 performs a sheet feeding operation and a sheet conveying operation using rollers and various sensors (not shown).

Next, the internal configuration of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inserter 108 is composed of a communication I/F 232 , a CPU 233 , a memory 234 , and a paper feed controller 235 , each component being connected via a system bus 236 . A communication I/F 232 is connected to the print module 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs communication necessary for sheet insertion control. The CPU 233 controls the entire inserter 108 according to control programs stored in the memory 234 . The memory 234 is a storage device in which control programs are stored. Based on instructions from the CPU 233 , the paper feed control unit 235 controls rollers and sensors (not shown) to take in sheets placed on the tray 321 , feed paper from a paper feed unit (not shown), and print module 107 . to control the conveyance of the sheet conveyed from the

Next, the internal configuration of the adjustment module 112 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The adjustment module 112 is composed of a communication I/F 255 , a CPU 256 , a memory 257 and a reading section 258 , each component being connected via a system bus 259 . A communication I/F 255 is connected to the print module 107 via a communication cable 254, and performs communication necessary for controlling the processing of reading adjustment patches. The CPU 256 controls the entire adjustment module 112 according to control programs stored in the memory 257 . The memory 257 is a storage device that stores control programs, various setting information, and adjustment patch information. Based on an instruction from the CPU 256 , the reading unit 258 reads adjustment patches printed on the conveyed print-processed sheet using a reading sensor. In this embodiment, the adjustment patches on the sheet are read by an in-line scanner, but they may be read by a camera, for example. By notifying the print module 107 of the reading result obtained by the reading unit 258 and rewriting the setting values, the color to be printed and the deviation of the display registration are adjusted.

Next, the internal configuration of the inspection module 109 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inspection module 109 is composed of a communication I/F 237 , a CPU 238 , a memory 239 , an imaging section 240 , a display section 241 and an operation section 242 , each component being connected via a system bus 243 . A communication I/F 238 is connected to the print module 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs communication necessary for control such as inspection of printed sheets. The CPU 238 controls the entire inspection module 109 according to control programs stored in the memory 239 . A memory 239 is a storage device that stores various setting information and image data in addition to the control program. Based on instructions from the CPU 238, the imaging unit 240 reads an image on the conveyed print-processed sheet by imaging. In the present embodiment, the image on the sheet is read by photographing with a camera, but it may be read by an in-line scanner, for example. The CPU 238 compares the photographed image to be inspected obtained by the photographing unit 240 with the correct image stored in advance in the memory 239, and determines whether or not there is a defect in the print result. The display unit 241 displays inspection results, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 242 is operated by the user and receives instructions such as changing the settings of the inspection module 109 and registering correct images.

Next, the internal configuration of the stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The stacker 110 is composed of a communication I/F 244 , a CPU 245 , a memory 246 , and a paper ejection control section 247 , each component being connected via a system bus 248 . A communication I/F 244 is connected to the print module 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs communication necessary for sheet stacking/discharging control. The CPU 245 controls the entire stacker 110 according to control programs stored in the memory 246 . A memory 246 is a storage device in which control programs are stored. The paper discharge control unit 247 performs control for conveying the conveyed sheet to the stack tray, the escape tray, or the subsequent finisher 111 based on instructions from the CPU 245 .

Next, the internal configuration of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The finisher 111 is composed of a communication I/F 249 , a CPU 250 , a memory 251 , a paper ejection control section 252 and a finishing processing section 253 , and these components are connected via a system bus 254 . A communication I/F 249 is connected to the print module 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs communication necessary for controlling finishing processing. The CPU 250 controls the overall finisher 111 according to the control program stored in the memory 251 . The memory 251 is a storage device that stores control programs. The paper discharge control unit 252 controls sheet conveyance and paper discharge based on instructions from the CPU 250 . A finishing processing unit 253 executes processing such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching based on instructions from the CPU 250 .

<<Internal configuration of the external controller>>
Next, the internal configuration of the external controller 102 will be described. The external controller 102 includes a CPU 208 , memory 209 , HDD 210 , keyboard 211 , display 212 , LAN I/F 213 , LAN I/F 214 and video I/F 215 , which are connected via a system bus 216 . The CPU 208 executes processing such as reception of PDL data from the client PC 103 , RIP processing, and transmission of print jobs to the image forming apparatus 101 based on programs and data stored in the HDD 210 . A memory 209 stores programs and data necessary for the CPU 208 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area. The HDD 210 stores programs and data necessary for operations such as PDL analysis and RIP processing. A keyboard 211 is an input device for a user to input various operations and instructions to the external controller 102 . Information such as the application being executed by the external controller 102 is displayed on the display 212 as a still image or moving image. A LAN I/F 213 is connected to the client PC 103 via the external LAN 104 and receives PDL data. A LAN I/F 214 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and transmits print jobs and the like. A video I/F 215 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the video cable 106 and performs transmission and reception of image data.

<<Internal configuration of the client PC>>
Next, the internal configuration of the client PC 103 will be explained. The client PC 103 includes a CPU 201 , memory 202 , HDD 203 , keyboard 204 , display 205 and LAN I/F 206 and is connected via a system bus 207 . The CPU 201 creates image data to be printed and issues a print instruction based on a document creation program or the like stored in the HDD 203 . The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 207 . The memory 202 stores programs and data required when the CPU 201 performs various processes, and operates as a work area. The HDD 203 stores programs and data necessary for operations such as print processing. A keyboard 204 is an input device for the user to input various operations and instructions to the client PC 103 . On the display 205, information such as the application being executed by the client PC 103 is displayed as a still image or moving image. A LAN I/F 206 is connected to the external LAN 104 and performs transmission of PDL data and the like.

Note that the memory 202, the memory 209, the memory 223, the memory 234, the memory 239, the memory 246, and the memory 251 shown in FIG. 2 may be storage devices for holding data and programs. For example, a configuration in which a volatile RAM, a nonvolatile ROM, a built-in HDD, an external HDD, a USB memory, or the like is substituted may be used.

<Conveyance System of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, a conveying system of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. FIG. 3 is a mechanical cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 101. As shown in FIG. Description will be made below with reference to FIG.

The print module 107 includes paper feed decks 301 and 302 . Each sheet feeding deck 301/302 can accommodate various sheets. The sheet feeding decks 301 and 302 separate only the uppermost sheet among the stored sheets and convey it to the sheet conveying path 303 . Developing stations 304 to 307 form toner images using Y, M, C, and K colored toners, respectively. The formed toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 308 first. Then, the intermediate transfer belt 308 rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, and the toner image is transferred onto the sheet conveyed from the sheet conveying path 303 at the secondary transfer position 309 . The display device 225 displays the print job processing status and information for various settings. The fixing unit 311 includes a pressure roller and a heating roller, and fixes the toner image on the sheet by allowing the sheet to pass between the rollers to melt and press the toner. The sheet passing through the fixing unit 311 passes through the sheet conveying path 312 and is conveyed to the sheet conveying path 315 . If the sheet type requires further fusing and pressure bonding for fixing, after passing through the fixing unit 311, the sheet passes through the sheet conveying path 312' above the sheet conveying path 312 to the second fixing unit. 313. The sheet that has been additionally fused and pressure-bonded by the second fixing unit 313 is conveyed to the sheet conveying path 315 through the sheet conveying path 314 . Here, when the print mode is set to double-sided printing, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet reversing path 316 , reversed, and then conveyed to the double-sided conveying path 317 . Then, image transfer on the second side is performed at the secondary transfer position 309 .

When the number of sheets conveyed to the inserter 108 through the sheet conveying path 315 reaches a predetermined number, the inserter 108 joins the partition sheets fed through the sheet conveying path 322 to the conveying path. As a result, it is possible to interrupt the series of sheets conveyed from the printing module 107 with the partition sheet at an arbitrary timing and convey the sheets to the succeeding apparatus. Sheets passing through the inserter 108 are conveyed to the conditioning module 112 . A first sensor 323 and a second sensor 334 are arranged in the adjustment module 112 so as to face each other. A first sensor 323 reads adjustment patches printed on the upper surface of the sheet, and a second sensor 324 reads adjustment patches printed on the lower surface of the sheet. The adjustment module 112 uses the first sensor 323 and the second sensor 324 to read images on both sides of the sheet at the timing when the sheet conveyed to the sheet conveying path 325 reaches a predetermined position. A sheet that has passed through the adjustment unit is conveyed to an inspection module 109 .

A first camera 331 and a second camera 332 are arranged in the inspection module 109 so as to face each other. A first camera 331 photographs the upper surface of the sheet, and a second camera 332 photographs the lower surface of the sheet. The inspection module 109 uses the first camera 331 and the second camera 332 to read images of both sides of the sheet at the timing when the sheet conveyed to the sheet conveying path 333 reaches a predetermined position, and obtains the read image of the surface to be inspected. Inspect for defects. The display device 241 displays the inspection results and the like performed by the inspection module 109 . Sheets that have been inspected are conveyed to the stacker 110 .

The stacker 110 has a stack tray 341 for stacking sheets. A sheet that has passed through the inspection module 109 is conveyed to the stacker 110 through a sheet conveying path 344 . Sheets conveyed from the sheet conveying path 344 via the sheet conveying path 345 are stacked on the stack tray 341 while being flipped. A stack tray 341 is composed of an elevating tray 342 and an eject tray 343 . Further, the stacker 110 has an escape tray 346 as a paper discharge tray. The escape tray 346 is a sheet ejection tray for ejecting sheets determined to have print defects (image defects) by the inspection module 109 . When the sheet is to be discharged to the escape tray 346 , the sheet is conveyed from the sheet conveying path 344 to the escape tray 346 via the sheet conveying path 347 . When the sheet is to be conveyed to the finisher 111 in the subsequent stage of the stacker 110 , the sheet is conveyed via the sheet conveying path 348 . The reversing unit 349 is used when switching the sheet discharge destination according to the inspection result of the inspection module 109 . This is to acquire time for reading the image on the sheet by the two cameras 331 and 332 , inspecting the read image, and switching the conveying path to the sheet conveying path 345 or 348 . Note that if the inspection is not performed, the reversing unit 349 is used only when the sheets are flipped when stacked on the stack tray 341 . As a result of inspection by the inspection module 109 , sheets for which image defects have not been detected are conveyed to the finisher 111 .

The finisher 111 performs finishing processing such as stapling (one-point/two-point binding), punching (two-hole/three-hole), and saddle stitch binding on the conveyed sheet. The finisher 111 has two discharge trays 351 and 352 . A sheet conveyed via the sheet conveying path 353 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 351 . However, finishing processing such as stapling cannot be performed on the sheet conveying path 353 . When performing finishing processing such as stapling, the sheet is conveyed to the processing mechanism 355 via the sheet conveying path 354 . After the finishing function specified by the user is executed in the processing mechanism 355 , the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 352 . The discharge trays 351 and 352 can be raised and lowered. It is also possible to lower the paper discharge tray 351 and stack the sheets on which the finishing process has been performed by the first processing mechanism 355 onto the paper discharge tray 351 . In addition, when saddle stitch binding is specified among the finishing functions, the second processing mechanism 356 staples the center of the sheet, folds the sheet in half, and passes the sheet through the sheet conveying path 357 . It is discharged to the saddle stitch bookbinding tray 358 . The saddle-stitch bookbinding tray 358 has a belt conveyor structure, and the sheet bundle (saddle-stitch book bundle) stacked on the saddle-stitch bookbinding tray 358 is conveyed to the left.

<Process from submission of inspection job to inspection>
First, processing from inputting a print job involving inspection (hereinafter referred to as an “inspection job”) to inspection in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15 .

FIG. 15 starts when an inspection job is input from the PC 103 to the external controller 102 . Here, an inspection job (print job) is composed of at least image data information and print setting information.

In step S<b>1501 , the external controller 102 creates a correct image from the inspection job and transmits print image information including the created correct image information to the print module 107 . Here, for example, if a print setting is made to print A4 size image data on A3 size paper, an A3 size data image with margins is created.

In step S1502, the print setting information included in the inspection job is transmitted to the print module. Here, the print setting information is information including at least information on whether to print an added image such as an adjustment patch, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the type of added image, and paper size information. Also, although steps S1501 and S1502 are described as separate steps, they may be sent at once without limitation.

In step S1503, the print module 107 confirms the print setting information transmitted from the external controller 102 in step S1502. Here, information as to whether or not to print a given image such as an adjustment patch is confirmed, and if it is to be printed, the process proceeds to S1504. If printing is unnecessary, the process proceeds to S1505.

In step S1504, the print module 107 acquires the position information of the applied image such as the adjustment patch. For example, the HDD 221 of the print module 107 stores in advance a table in which print settings shown in FIG. 14 are associated with position information of added images. Acquisition of the image application position is obtained by confirming the type of the application image and the paper size information and referring to the table to obtain the position information of the application image on the printed matter.

In step S<b>1505 , correct image information is transmitted from the printing module 107 to the inspection module 109 .

In step S<b>1506 , the print module 107 transmits the position information of the added image acquired in step S<b>1504 to the inspection module 109 . Although steps S1505 and S1506 are described as separate steps, they may be sent at once without limitation.

In step S1507, the inspection module 109 automatically registers a correct image, which will be described later, and sets an inspection range using the position information of the added image transmitted in step S1505. When registration of the correct image is completed, information indicating completion of registration of the correct image is notified to the external controller 102 .

In step S<b>1508 , the external controller 102 transmits the print image information to the print module 107 upon receiving the registration completion notification of the correct image. Here, the print image information includes at least image information for actually performing printing and inspection.

Subsequently, in step S 1509 , print setting information is transmitted from the external controller 102 to the print module 107 . Although steps S1508 and S1509 are described as separate steps, they may be sent at once without limitation. Similarly, in steps S1501 and S1502, the print image information and print setting information are transmitted from the external controller 102 to the print module 107, but the contents may be the same or may include different information. good too.

In step S1510, the print module 107 uses the print setting information sent in step S1509 to determine whether printing of the attached image is necessary for printing in step S1511, and if necessary, preparations are made to print the attached image. .

In step S1511, the print module 107 performs printing based on the print setting information. S1510 and S1511 are repeated until printing is completed.

In step S1512, the printed matter printed by the printing module 107 is scanned, and an inspection is performed by comparing the scanned image with the correct image registered in step S1507.

<Details of adjustment patch>
Next, an example of adjustment patches read by the adjustment module 112 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the adjustment patches used for adjustment of the printing apparatus, such as marks for colorimetry and front/back registration adjustment, are printed on the print sheet.

In this embodiment, the adjustment patches and the marks for front/back registration adjustment are called attached images or attached information. The setting as to whether to print the additional information is performed by a print driver in the PC 103, for example. In the settings, it is possible to set the size of the product and the size of the paper to be printed, whether or not to apply adjustment patches, and, if applied, how many pages to apply one patch.

A page 501 is a printed matter that is printed by a printing apparatus by adding an added image as an adjustment patch to RIP-processed image data received by the printing apparatus. A page 501 has an area 502 in which image data is printed. The adjustment patch is printed in the margin outside the region 502 . Adjustment patches include colorimetric charts 503 to 505 and correction marks 507 to 510, for example. Colorimetry charts 503 to 505 are used to adjust the printing density of inks and toners used in the printing machine and to measure gradation. A chart for colorimetry is created with, for example, four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, or four colors of red, blue, green, and black. Registration correction marks 507 to 510 are used to measure printing misalignment with respect to the paper surface. Colorimetric charts 503 to 505 and registration correction marks 507 to 510 are provided after RIP processing, and are read by the adjustment module 112 .

In this embodiment, the adjustment patch will be described on the assumption that it is printed in a blank area outside the region 502. can be implemented by

<Details of inspection module>
Next, a detailed description will be given of how to use the inspection module 109, including various setting operations that the user should perform on the inspection module 109 before starting inspection processing.

The inspection module 109 inspects the conveyed print-processed sheet according to preset inspection items. The inspection indicates a scanned image corresponding to the inspection target surface (hereinafter referred to as an “inspection image”) among the scanned images of both sides of the sheet obtained by photographing the print-processed sheet, and either the front side or the back side. This is performed by comparing the correct image registered in advance in association with the sheet surface. As a method of comparing images, there is a method of comparing pixel values for each corresponding position in both images. Other methods include a method of comparing the positions of objects by edge detection, a method of comparing recognition results by optical character recognition (OCR), and the like. Preparations and settings of the inspection module 109 will be described below with reference to various UI screens shown in FIGS. 5 to 11. FIG.

FIG. 5 is an example of a UI screen (hereinafter referred to as an “inspection menu screen”) displayed on the display unit 241 when the inspection module 109 is activated. Display control of various UI screens including this inspection menu screen is performed by the CPU 238 in the inspection module 109 .

In the inspection menu screen 400 shown in FIG. 5, a message to the effect that the correct image has not been registered and that the correct image needs to be registered prior to the start of inspection processing is displayed in a message field 401 in the upper left part. there is If the correct image has already been registered at the time of activation, a message will be displayed to the effect that the inspection process can be started. Below the message column 401 is an image display area 402 in which correct images are displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, since the correct image has not been registered, the character string "unregistered" is displayed. Four buttons 403 to 406 are arranged on the right side of the inspection menu screen 400 . A button 403 is a button for calling a UI screen for registering a correct image. A correct image is an image that serves as a reference when determining whether or not an inspection image has a defect. In this embodiment, an image obtained based on RIP-processed data is used as a correct image. A button 404 is a button for calling a UI screen for setting conditions for inspection. The user sets inspection items and inspection accuracy according to inspection items. Here, the inspection items include misalignment of printing position, color tone of image, density of image, streaks and smudges, missing print, and the like. Further, the inspection accuracy is an index for determining the degree of difference from the correct image to determine that there is a defect, and is defined by a numerical value such as within 1%, for example. A button 405 is a button for calling a UI screen for checking the inspection result. The user can confirm past inspection details and inspection results on the inspection result confirmation screen. A button 406 is a button for instructing the start of inspection. When the pressing of the button 406 is detected, the inspection module 109 starts inspecting the print-processed sheets that are sequentially conveyed. Note that the configuration of the inspection menu screen 400 shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and may be configured to display information other than the above, such as information related to inspection settings such as partition sheet settings. Next, the UI screens displayed when the three UI screen call buttons 403 to 405 are pressed and their operations will be described.

≪Registration of correct image≫
When the user presses a button 403 on the inspection menu screen 400 described above, a UI screen for registering a correct image as shown in FIG. Is displayed. An image registration screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 has two setting areas 601 and 602 and one button 603 . A setting area 601 is an area for setting the number of sheets per copy of an inspection job. The user can specify the desired number of sheets by operating the spin button in the setting area 601 . In this case, when specifying two or more sheets per copy, that is, when inspecting a printed matter in which one copy consists of a plurality of sheets, a correct image can be registered for each sheet. A setting area 602 is an area for setting an inspection target surface of a sheet. It is possible to set whether the inspection is to be performed on both sides of the sheet or only on one side (in that case, only the front side or only the back stitch). Note that even if printing is performed only on one side, the inspection conditions may be set so that both sides are inspected in order to check that no dust adheres to the non-printing side. A button 603 is a button for reading RIP-processed image data of an inspection job and registering it as a correct image. Also, the correct image may be registered as an average value of a plurality of scanned images printed by the print module and scanned by the inspection module, even if the image data is not RIP-processed image data.

In the first embodiment, the case where the former RIP-processed image data is read and converted into a correct image will be described. In the second embodiment, a case of registering a correct image as the average value of the latter scanned image will be described.

The user presses a button 603 after setting the two setting areas 601 and 602 . Then, reception of the RIP-processed image of the inspection job starts. When the reception is completed, the screen transitions to a UI screen (hereinafter referred to as a "registration processing screen") prompting registration of the correct image and setting of related items as shown in FIG. An image display area 701 in which the received image is displayed exists on the left side of the registration processing screen 700 . Further below that, there are a button 702 for switching the sheet to be displayed when one copy is composed of a plurality of sheets, and a button 703 for switching whether to display the front side or the back side of the sheet. Note that when the number of sheets per copy set on the image registration screen 600 is 1, the button 702 may not be displayed. Three buttons 704 to 706 are arranged on the right side of the registration processing screen 700 . A button 704 is a button for setting an area (inspection skip area) in the correct image that is not compared with the inspection image. This inspection skip area setting is used when limiting the inspection target area. For example, there is variable printing (VDP: Variable Data Printing) in which the print content is changed for a specific area in the sheet for each copy. Other use cases include a case where each copy is printed with a different ID attached, and a case where only the address and name are changed for each copy and printed. When the button 704 is pressed, the registration processing screen 700 transitions to a UI screen for setting an inspection skip area (hereinafter referred to as an "area setting screen"), which is an area not subject to inspection, as shown in FIG. do. In the area setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 8, a dashed rectangle 801 in the image display area 701 indicates an inspection skip area to be set. The user can change the position of the inspection skip area 801 with a position change button 802 and change its size with a size change button 803 . The user who has determined the position and size of the inspection skip area 801 presses a button 804 . As a result, the set inspection skip area 801 is registered in association with the correct image being displayed in the image display area 701 .

In FIG. 8, similarly to the inspection skip area 801, an inspection target area, which is an inspection target area to be inspected, can also be set (not shown).

After completing the registration of the inspection skip area, the display returns to the registration processing screen 700 . A button 805 is a button for registering another inspection skip area for the same correct image after registering an inspection skip area. A button 806 is a button for canceling the setting of the inspection skip area. When the button 806 is pressed, the setting of the inspection skip area is canceled and the display returns to the registration processing screen 700 . Returning to the description of the registration processing screen 700 . A button 705 is a button for registering the read image being displayed in the image display area 701 as a correct image. When a button 705 is pressed, the received image displayed in the image display area 701 is registered as a correct image in association with the corresponding sheet number (for example, 1/10 sheet) and sheet surface (front side or back side). After completing the registration, the display returns from the registration processing screen 700 to the inspection menu screen 400 . A button 706 is a button for canceling the registration of the correct image. When the button 706 is pressed, the registration process is stopped and the display returns to the inspection menu screen 400 .

≪Setting of inspection conditions≫
When the user presses a button 404 on the inspection menu screen 400 described above, a UI screen for setting inspection conditions (hereinafter referred to as a "condition setting screen") as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit 241. be done. The condition setting screen 900 has two setting areas 901 , 902 and 903 and an OK button 904 . A setting area 901 is an area for setting a defect detection level for inspection. A user can set a desired inspection level by operating a spin button in the setting area 901 . Here, the higher the set inspection level (the larger the numerical value), the more likely it is that even a slight difference between the correct image and the inspection image will be determined to be a defective image. A setting area 902 is an area for setting an inspection item (inspection type). The user can select the check box from which viewpoint the inspection is to be performed according to the inspection item. In the example of FIG. 9, five items of position, hue, density, streak, and void are prepared, and the four items of position, hue, streak, and void are checked. In this case, positions, shades, streaks, and voids are subject to inspection, but density is not subject to inspection. A setting area 903 is an area for setting a threshold for stopping printing when a print defect is continuously found (that is, when an NG determination is made in inspection processing). This is a setting that stops printing when NG judgments continue for more than this number. Since subsequent sheets are being printed even during the inspection, there is a possibility that NG will occur continuously beyond the threshold. Also, if it is set to 0, it means that printing is not stopped even if an NG determination is made. The details of this threshold will be described later. When the OK button 904 is pressed, the setting of the inspection conditions is completed, and the display returns to the inspection menu screen 400 described above.

≪Confirmation of inspection results≫
When the user presses a button 405 on the inspection menu screen 400 described above, a UI screen (hereinafter referred to as a "result confirmation screen") for confirming the inspection result as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 241. be done. The result confirmation screen 1000 has a result display area 1001 for displaying details of the inspection result, a button 1002 for switching the inspection job to be displayed, and an OK button 1003 . Now, in the result display area 1001, for the first job out of the nine inspection jobs whose history is saved, the date and time of inspection execution, the name of the target inspection job, the number of inspections to be executed, and the number of sheets to be executed are displayed. Information about the number of sheets that passed and the number of sheets that did not pass is displayed. The user can switch the inspection job to be displayed by operating the left and right spin buttons 1002 . When the user presses the OK button 1003 after confirming the inspection result, the display returns to the inspection menu screen 400 described above.

<Details of the external controller>
Next, how to use the external controller 102 will be described in detail. A user who has made the above-described various presets for the inspection module 109 uses the external controller 102 to generate the above-described inspection job and a job in which whether or not to apply an adjustment patch. throw into. FIG. 11 is an example of a UI screen (hereinafter referred to as a “job setting screen”) displayed on the display 212 of the external controller 102 for setting operating conditions for correct image registration jobs and inspection jobs. Display control of this job setting screen is performed by the CPU 208 in the external controller 102 . The job setting screen 1100 has two setting areas 1101 and 1102 and four buttons 1103-1106. A setting area 1101 is an area for setting the number of copies to be printed in an inspection job. In the example of FIG. 10, an inspection job specifying printing of 1000 copies is generated. A setting area 1102 is an area for setting the discharge destination of sheets processed according to a registration job or an inspection job. In the example of FIG. 10, the stacker 110 is selected as the basic paper discharge destination, and the escape tray 346 is selected as the paper discharge destination when a print defect is found (that is, when an NG determination is made in inspection processing). The user can select a paper discharge destination according to the application, such as discharging paper to the stacker 110 when printing in large quantities with inspection processing. Further, it may be configured such that a plurality of discharge destinations can be set for each of the basic and defect detection times. A button 1103 is a button for setting print conditions other than the discharge destination. A pop-up screen (not shown) is displayed by pressing a button 1103, and the user can perform imposition settings, print quality settings, finishing settings, paper ejection surface settings, and the like. Here, the imposition setting is, for example, a setting for designating double-sided printing, 2-in-1 printing, or the like. The print quality setting is, for example, a setting for specifying whether priority is given to quality or processing speed at the time of printing. Finishing settings are settings for designating the contents of post-processing such as stapling and hole punching. The paper ejection surface setting is a setting for designating whether the paper is to be ejected to the selected paper ejection destination face-up (front side up) or face-down (front side down). A button 1104 instructs to print only one copy of the inspection job. When the external controller 102 is instructed to print one copy of the inspection job in 1304 , the printing module 107 performs print processing and the inspection device 109 reads the correct image. A button 1105 is used to instruct the start of printing of an inspection job. When a print start instruction is given in 1105, the external controller 102 inputs an inspection job to the print module 107 based on the settings in FIG. In 1105, when the external controller 102 is instructed to start printing the inspection job, the external controller 102 inputs print data to the print module 107, and the print data is printed. In the case of a job set to apply adjustment patches, the print module 107 prints the RIP-processed image with the adjustment patches applied. An instruction is given to convey the printed sheet to the inspection unit 109 . When the print sheet is conveyed, the inspection unit 109 reads the image of the print sheet and performs inspection processing.

A cancel button 1106 closes the screen.

<Registration processing of correct image>
12A, the operation of the printing module 107, and the inspection module 109 using FIG. will be described below.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are flowcharts relating to correct image registration during inspection using RIP-processed data according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as an example of the position information of the added image on the printed matter, the added image position correspondence table shown in FIG. 14 is stored in a storage device such as the HDD 221 of the print module.

In this embodiment, the CPU 222 executes the processing in the print module 107 shown in FIG. The processing in the inspection module 109 shown in FIG. 12B is executed by the CPU 238 .

FIG. 12A starts when the print module 107 receives inspection data from the external controller.

In step S1201, the print module 107 analyzes the print setting information received from the external controller. This print setting information includes information on paper used for printing, information on finishing settings, and print quality setting information including adjustment patch application information. Note that the print setting information is set by the user using, for example, a print driver of the PC 103 . Then, the process proceeds to S1202.

In step S1202, the print module 107 determines, as a result of the analysis in step S1201, whether or not there is a setting to print the adjustment patch applied image. If it is determined that the added image is printed, the process proceeds to step S1203, and if it is determined that the added image is not added, the process proceeds to step S1205.

In step S1203, the position information of the added image is acquired from the paper size of the print setting information using the correspondence table of the added image shown in FIG. 14 stored in the storage device.

A method of acquiring the position information of the added image specifies the position of the added image with reference to the table shown in FIG. 14 . FIG. 14 is an example of a correspondence table of added image positions prestored in the HDD 255 of the inspection module 109 . In the example of the correspondence table shown in FIG. 14, the position of each patch from the four upper left corners of the printing paper is described as coordinate information. In FIG. 14, various units are represented by mm (millimeters), but units such as inches and pixels may be used instead. The elements are X coordinates, Y coordinates, width, and height, but any information that can specify the position and size of the image, such as the start and end points of the X coordinates and the start and end points of the Y coordinates, may be used.

As for the paper size, the paper size (not shown) input when registering the correct image in FIG. 6 may be used.

In step S1204, the printing module 107 transmits the correct image information and the added image position information to the inspection module 109, and the flow ends. The positional information of the added image referred to here refers to information that can specify the position of the adjustment patch or the like added to the image after RIP. For example, it is information that can specify the start point, end point, width, height, etc. of each patch from the four upper left corners of the printing paper. The correct image information transmitted here is image data to which an adjustment patch or the like has not been added.

In step S1205, the printing module 107 transmits the correct image information to the inspection module 109, and the flow ends.

Note that FIG. 12A illustrates the flow when receiving from the print module in step S1201, but in step S1201, an inspection job including correct image information and print setting information is directly received from an external device such as the PC 103, for example. You may

FIG. 12B is an operation flow of the inspection module 109 when the inspection module 109 receives the information transmitted by the printing module 107 in steps S1204 and S1205 of FIG.

In step S<b>1206 , the inspection module 109 receives at least correct image information from the printing module 107 . After that, the process proceeds to step S1207.

In step S1207, the inspection system determines whether or not the position information of the added image has been received. If there is added image position information, the process moves to step S1208, and if there is no added image position information, the process moves to step S1209.

In step S1208, the inspection module 109 sets the position where the image is added as an area not subject to inspection based on the position information of the added image.

In step S1209, the correct image registration screen (FIG. 7) is displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection module 109, and the flow ends. Although not shown in FIG. 7, a correct image may be displayed so that the inspection skip area is set at the location where the added information is printed.

With the above configuration, even if an image is added by the printing device after RIP processing, the inspection module automatically sets the position information of the added image acquired by the printing module to the non-inspection area. Inspection processing can be performed.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the HDD 221 of the print module 107 stores the correspondence table of the position information of the added image. The correspondence table of the position information of the attached image may be designed to be stored in a storage device such as the HDD 255 of the inspection module 109 .

Note that portions not described in this example are the same as those in the first embodiment.

A flow when the inspection module 109 stores the position information of the added image will be described with reference to FIG. 13 .

FIG. 13 starts when correct image information and print setting information are transmitted from the printing module 107 to the inspection module 109 . It should be noted that the print settings transmitted to the inspection module 109 here may be part of the extracted print settings.

In step S<b>1301 , the inspection module 109 analyzes the print setting information received from the print module 107 . After that, the process proceeds to step S1302.

In step S1302, the inspection system determines whether or not the correct image information received in step S1301 includes the position information of the attached image. If there is added image position information, the process moves to step S1303, and if there is no added image position information, the process moves to step S1305.

In step S1303, the inspection module 109 acquires the position information of the added image from the paper size of the print setting information using the correspondence table of the added image shown in FIG. 14 stored in the storage device.

In step S1304, the inspection module 109 sets the added image position acquired in S1303 on the correct image as an area not subject to inspection.

In step S1305, the correct image registration screen (FIG. 7) is displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection module 109, and the flow ends. Although not shown in FIG. 7, a correct image may be displayed so that the inspection skip area is set at the location where the added information is printed.

Note that FIG. 13 illustrates the flow when receiving from the print module in step S1301. good.

With the above configuration, even if an image is added by the printing device after RIP processing, the inspection module automatically sets the position information of the added image acquired by the inspection module to the non-inspection area. Inspection processing can be performed.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first embodiment, the case where the print module stores the correspondence table of the position information of the added image has been described, and in the second embodiment, the case where the inspection module has stored the correspondence table of the position information of the added image has been described. The correspondence table of the position information of the added image may be set so that the external controller 102 has it.

In this case, the external controller 102 acquires the position information of the applied image. When the print setting information is transmitted from the external controller 102 to the print module 107, the position information of the added image is transmitted at the same time. Since the subsequent steps are the same as those after step S1204 in FIG. 12, the description is omitted. Note that portions not described in this example are the same as those in the first embodiment.

With the above configuration, even if an image is added by the printing device after RIP processing, the inspection module automatically sets the position information of the added image acquired by the external controller to the non-inspection area. can perform inspection processing.

(Other embodiments)
Although various examples and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described above, the spirit and scope of the invention is not to be limited to any particular description herein.

The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

102 external controller 107 printing module 109 inspection module 218 LAN I/F
222 CPUs
238 CPUs
255 HDDs

Claims (19)

receiving means for receiving a print job configured with an image and print settings including at least information about the added image;
registration means for registering an image generated from the print job as a correct image;
setting means for setting one or more inspection target areas and non-inspection target areas from the correct image registered by the registration means;
printing means for printing an image generated from the print job and an added image on the same recording sheet based on the print settings;
inspection means for inspecting the inspection target area set by the setting means for the printed matter printed by the printing means;
The setting means sets the print position of the added image on the printed matter to an area outside the inspection object, based on the previously stored information on the added image and the position information of the added image on the printed matter. An inspection system characterized by being set to 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the information about the added image is information as to whether or not to add the added image to the recording sheet and print it. 3. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the added image in a margin of a recording sheet on which the image generated from the print job is not printed. The setting means determines the printing position of the given image on the printed matter based on the correspondence between the size information of the recording sheet included in the print settings and the coordinate information indicating the position where the given image is printed on the printed matter. 4. The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inspection system is set in an area not subject to inspection. The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the applied image is an adjustment patch. The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the given image is a mark for front/back registration adjustment. generating means for reading a printed material printed with an image by the printing means and generating a scanned image;
has
7. The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inspection unit performs inspection based on the scanned image generated by the generation unit and the correct image registered by the registration unit. 8. The inspection system according to claim 7, wherein the inspection unit performs inspection based on comparison between the scanned image generated by the generating unit and a correct image corresponding to the scanned image. The inspection system comprises at least a controller capable of communicating with an information processing device and having the reception means, a printing device having the registration means and the printing means, and an inspection device having the setting means and the inspection means. ,
The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the accepting unit accepts a print job transmitted from the information processing device to the controller. The setting means sets the print position of the added image to an area not subject to inspection based on the position information of the added image on the printed matter, which is transmitted from the printing device to the inspection device. 10. The inspection system according to claim 9. The setting means acquires position information of the imparted image on the printed matter from information regarding the imparted image transmitted from the printing device to the inspection device, and acquires position information of the acquired imparted image on the printed matter. 10. The inspection system according to claim 9, wherein the print position of the given image is set to an area not subject to inspection based on. a receiving step of receiving a print job configured with an image and print settings including at least information about the attached image;
a registration step of registering an image generated from the print job as a correct image;
a setting step of setting one or more inspection target regions and non-inspection target regions from the registered correct image;
a printing step of printing an image generated from the print job and an added image on the same recording sheet based on the print settings;
an inspection step of inspecting the set inspection target area of the printed matter;
In the setting step, the printing position of the added image on the printed matter is set to an area outside the inspection object based on the correspondence between the information on the added image and the position information of the added image on the printed matter, which is stored in advance. A control method for an inspection system, characterized by setting A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 12. An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a network,
receiving means for receiving a print job configured with an image and print settings including at least information about the attached image;
registration means for registering an image generated from the print job as a correct image;
setting means for setting one or more inspection target areas and non-inspection target areas from the correct image registered by the registration means;
printing means for printing an image generated from the print job and the given image on the same recording sheet based on the print settings;
inspection means for inspecting the inspection target area set by the setting means for the printed matter printed by the printing means;
wherein the setting means sets the print position of the attached image to be excluded from inspection based on the correspondence between the information about the attached image and the position information of the attached image on the printed matter. Device. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the information about the added image is a setting as to whether to add the added image and print. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the printing unit prints the added image in a margin of a recording sheet on which the image generated from the print job is not printed. The setting means determines the printing position of the given image on the printed matter based on the correspondence between the size information of the recording sheet included in the print settings and the coordinate information indicating the position where the given image is printed on the printed matter. 17. The inspection system according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the area is set in an area not subject to inspection. An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus via a network,
a receiving step for receiving a print job comprising an image and print settings including at least information about the applied image;
a registration step of registering an image generated from the print job as a correct image;
a setting step of setting one or more inspection target regions and non-inspection target regions from the registered correct image;
a printing step of printing an image generated from the print job and the given image on the same recording sheet based on the print settings;
an inspection step of inspecting the set inspection target area for the printed matter;
In the setting step, the printing position of the added image is set to be excluded from inspection based on the correspondence between the information about the added image and the position information of the added image on the printed matter. How to control the device. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 18.

Images